What is a second grader

What is a second grader?

A second grader is...

a child who
-takes responsibility seriously.
-is concerned about his/her actions.
-wants and expects to be reminded of chores.
-wants to behave in an acceptable manner.

a child who likes
-to be read to on occasion, yet who also likes to read aloud to you.
-to hear a twice-told tale.
-to work at a chalkboard.

a reader who
-recognizes familiar words rapidly.
-understands a story without knowing all the words.
-may be critical of some reading materials.
-recognizes the main idea of a story.
-enjoys humorous stories and corny jokes.

a writer who
-strives for improved results.
-may still reverse some letters and numerals but can recognize the reversals.
-may not finish all his/her work.
-can work quietly.
-sees likenesses and differences in pictures, words, and meanings.
-can listen to directions without interrupting.
-can respond well to directions.

a child who needs
-a personal relationship with a teacher.
-the joy received from a smile or warm hug.
-to work independently on occasion but likes a teacher nearby for ready help.
-a teacher who likes and understands children.
-truthful, simple answers to questions.

a child who doesn't like
-to feel left out of a group.
-to experience new situations alone.
-to be criticized.

*Adapted from a "Weekly Reader" column

Independent Strategies

Jill Marie Warner

When I get stuck on a word in a book,
There are lots of things to do.
I can do them all, please, by myself;
I don't need help from you.

I can look at the picture to get a hint,
Or think what the story's about.
I can "get my mouth ready" to say the first letter,
A kind of "sounding out".
I can chop the word into smaller parts,
Like on and ing and ly,
Or find smaller words in compound words
Like raincoat and bumblebee.
I can think of a word that makes sense in that place,
Guess or say "blank" and read on
Until the sentence has reached its end,
Then go back and try these on:
"Does it make sense?"
"Can we say it that way?"
"Does it look right to me?"
Chances are the right word will pop out like the sun
In my own mind, can't you see?

If I've thought of and tried out most of these things
And I still do not know what to do,
Then I may turn around and ask
For some help to get me through.

*Ms. Warner is a reading specialist in the Ithaca City School District in Ithaca, New York

Help!!!

by Phyllis Halloran

                            I'm trying hard to learn to read
                            But what's a kid to do
                            When there's a NO and a GO and a SO and a HO
                            And then there's a word like TO?

                            Reading BONE and CONE and LONE and TONE
                            Can almost be kind of fun,
                            But I get upset when I have to believe
                            That D-O-N-E spells DONE!

                            It's plain to see a kid like me
                            Sure needs a helping hand.
                            No matter how much I really try
                            I just don't understand.

                            I'm trying hard to learn to read.
                            Somehow that's what I'll do,
                            But for now if you'll just read to me
                            Someday I'll read to you.

The Wrong Start

by Marchette Chute

I got up this morning and meant to be good,
But things didn't happen the way that they should.

I lost my toothbrush,
I slammed the door,
I dropped an egg
On the kitchen floor,
I spilled some sugar
And after that
I tried to hurry
And tripped on the cat.

Things may get better. I don't know when.
I think I'll go back and start over again.

Homework

by Russell Hoban

Homework sits on top of Sunday, squashing Sunday flat.
Homework has the smell of Monday, homework's very fat.
Heavy books and piles of paper, answers I don't know.
Sunday evening's almost finished, now I'm going to go
Do my homework in the kitchen. Maybe just a snack,
Then I'll sit right down and start as soon as I run back
For some chocolate sandwich cookies. Then I'll really do
All that homework in a minute. First I'll see what new
Show they've got on television in the living room.
Everybody's laughing there, but misery and gloom
And a full refrigerator are where I am at.
I'll just have another sandwich. Homework's very fat.

Homework

by Jane Yolen

What is it about homework
That makes me want to write
My Great Aunt Myrt to thank her for
The sweater that's too tight?

What is it about homework
That makes me pick up socks
That stink from days and days of wear,
Then clean the litter box?

What is it about homework
That makes me volunteer
To take the garbage out before
The bugs and flies appear?

What is it about homework
That makes me wash my hair
And take an hour combing out
The snags and tangles there?

What is it about homework?
You know, I wish I know,
'Cause nights when I've got homework
I've got much too much to do!

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